But Montgomerie, who led Europe to victory in Wales three years ago and became a late contender for the job after Tom Watson was put in charge of the Americans, said: "I'm not at all disappointed - it would have been a dream come true, but it has not happened."

"I was very flattered even to be considered again - it meant a lot to me. The selection process was such that they appointed the best man for the job.

"We all get behind Paul now and wish him well. I appointed him for the Seve Trophy and he did a very good job - as he did twice as a vice-captain (in the Ryder Cup).

"He's a very good man-manager and very good at assessing people's strengths.

"I will be there to support and fly the flag for Europe."

Montgomerie lives only a few miles from Gleneagles and is bound to be on the list of possible assistant captains for the match in September next year.

Asked if he had any bitterness about the way things turned out the 49-year-old replied: "Goodness no. It's nothing to do with that."

As for whether he might ever again be in the running for the job Montgomerie added: "Only if we keep losing and I do a Tom Watson and come back!"

Watson is back in the role 20 years on from leading the United States to their last victory on European soil and will be 65 come the match. No captain on either side has been older than that.

Europe have won five of the last six matches and seven of the last nine.

McGinley paid tribute to Montgomerie and revealed the Scot had been quick to congratulate him on his appointment.

"He was the first man I saw, he came up and congratulated me warmly and wished me the very best of luck," he said on Radio 5 Live. "He was very, very gracious to me."

He added: "Monty has been a great captain and a great stalwart of Ryder Cups. I have played in three Ryder cups with Monty, everybody knows what the Ryder Cup means to him and how he has carried the Ryder Cup, not just as a player, but how he spoke at the meetings and the air of authority he had around it."

McGinley also revealed that Watson was such a hero of his he had quotes from the American written in his exercise books at school.

"I remember one of them was, 'desire, dedication, determination and a little bit of talent', that's what he reckoned was his secret of success," McGinley added.